Shared Spaces Connect Students At Mount Dandenong

Students at Mount Dandenong Primary School will soon have more inclusive outdoor spaces where they can meet and play thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino today opened a special area at the school – Wominjeka, which means welcome in Woiwurrung language – with local Aboriginal Elder Murrindindi performing a smoking ceremony.

Wominjeka, which received $200,000 from the Labor Government, is a major project to create more spaces that consider the needs of students with disabilities.

It includes a community garden, a wood-fired oven and outdoor kitchen, an exploratory play space for children who want to play but not with a sports focus, passive spaces for quiet play, and access ramps.

The $200,000 investment is from the Labor Government’s $20 million Inclusive Schools Fund over four years to promote more inclusive school environments tailored to the needs of all students.

To be eligible for Inclusive Schools Funding schools are encouraged to come up with innovative projects based on their existing facilities and the needs of their students with disabilities.

Some of the projects have included indoor inclusive learning spaces, outdoor sensory areas and quiet engagement spaces.

The Inclusive Schools Fund is part of the Labor Government’s Special Needs Plan which aims to promote inclusive and innovative practices in schools to better support children with disabilities and special needs.

Victoria is investing more than $5 billion to build the Education State where every person, regardless of their circumstances and location, can have access to a great education.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“It is wonderful to see this important outdoor area created at Mount Dandenong Primary School so that all students can enjoy these creative spaces for both learning and for play.”

“Our Government is working hard to create an environment in our schools where all students feel a sense of connectedness and where all students can participate on the same basis.”